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Virginia ‘Jinks’ Holton, wife of former Virginia Gov. Linwood Holton Jr., dies at 97

Alli Graham, Digital Content Producer

Published: December 16, 2022 at 4:33 PM

Tags: Virginia, Virginia ‘Jinks’ Holton, Linwood Holton Jr.

IRVINGTON, Va. – The wife of former Virginia Governor Linwood Holton, Virginia ‘Jinks’ Holton, has died at 97 years old, according to her family.

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Virginia’s death comes after the death of her husband of 67 years, who passed away in October 2021. She passed away peacefully on Friday morning surrounded by family in her home at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury in Irvington, Virginia.

Her children issued a statement regarding her death, which said, in part.

“Mom was a partner in what she and Dad forged into the family business: racial justice and civil rights for all Virginians. She and Dad together decided, when he was Governor, that our family would help integrate Virginia’s public schools, tearing down barriers to employment, and opening opportunities for all.
Mom embraced community service as a mission, a passion, and a joy. She was a regular volunteer on Habitat for Humanity builds, from South Dakota to South Africa and all over Virginia. She helped usher in the era of women at Washington and Lee as the first woman to serve on the University’s board. Mom was a staunch supporter of children’s causes throughout her life, most recently helping found the Northern Neck Court Appointed Special Advocates. She was deeply involved in her beloved Grace Episcopal Church. As First Lady of Virginia, she led efforts to improve nutrition for Virginia’s children. The list goes on and on.
Mom also had a passion for the world – she spoke French, German, and Russian. After college, she spent two years in Belgium. She told her parents she was a secretary at the embassy – in fact, she was working for the precursor to the CIA, running intelligence agents as the U.S. worked to manage the post-war complexities of Europe.
On top of all this, to us she was Mom. She helped us with school work. She drove us to music lessons and sports practice. She made us molasses cookies and chocolate silk pie. She taught us the values and priorities of family and community and justice that have shaped who we all are – and in turn shaped our children.”
Holton's children

Just this week, Virginia hosted her children for a family tradition that’s been ongoing for 90 years – reading Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” they said.

Her children said that she passed away “with the love and warmth and joy of life that she shared with us her whole life.”

About the Author

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Alli Graham

Alli Graham came aboard the digital team as an evening digital content producer in June 2022.

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Virginia ‘Jinks’ Holton, wife of former Virginia Gov. Linwood Holton Jr., dies at 97

About the Author

Alli Graham